Mazda RX-7 Lemon Site

Mazda's
Marketing Literature on the RX-7

Mazda "hoisted themselves on their own petard" according to the
judge in my case when they stated that "Mazda's goal in building the RX-7
was to build the Ultimate Sports Car." This removed any defense that
attacked the way I drove my 1993 RX-7 R1. Here is the complete marketing
literature on the 1994 RX-7 from Mazda, showing in even more vivid detail just
how much Mazda encourages sporty driving of their flagship sports car. Here's
the quote I love best:

But a more important measure will be the test you'll give it on the
road. Or the race track.

The 1994 Mazda RX-7

There's nothing else like it. Fast. Lightweight yet strong. Supremely
responsive. The Mazda RX-7 exists for one reason only: to offer the genuine
enthusiast the pure driving thrill that would otherwise be found only in a race
car.

The RX-7 marks the return of the pure sports car, a car with no design
tradeoffs that would compromise its mission. Its race-car heritage is found in
its every facet, from the unique rotary engine to extensive weight-saving
measures. It's a definitive expression of Kansei Engineering, our deeply rooted
philosophy that emphasizes a total harmony between driver and automobile. It's a
philosophy that harnesses all the power of the latest supercomputers, yet relies
as well on the insights of people, on their feelings and emotions. And on
engineers who can design from the heart as well as the head. One measure of how
eloquently this car speaks to true enthusiasts can be found in such honors as
being named Motor Trend's 1993 Import Car of the Year. But a more important
measure will be the test you'll give it on the road. Or the race track.

To give the Mazda RX-7 the feel of a race car, we designed it like one. We
started out with a racing legend, the unique Mazda rotary engine, much lighter
and more compact than piston engines of comparable power. The rotary makes the
rest of the car possible, and the RX-7 is the only new rotary-powered car you
can buy.

And because weight is the enemy of performance, we subjected every part, every
design of the RX-7 to intense and thorough weight-reduction scrutiny-but never
at the expense of structural strength. In pursuit of every last extra gram, we
even drilled out the aluminum brake and clutch pedals and shortened the spark
plug lead wires.

Thanks to this weight-conscious engineering, the RX-7 comes in at just 11.1
pounds for every horsepower, helping to put it in the front rank among the
world's fastest production sports cars. Even more important, it delivers the
overall performance and feel previously reserved for hand-built exotics. Or for
a race car.

Performance

The R-2 Package

Specially tuned for only the most dedicated of enthusiasts, the RX-7 with the
R-2 Package goes even further toward giving a taste of purebred racing
machinery. On the track the R-2 will reward the skilled driving enthusiast with
an extraordinary degree of responsiveness at the limit. Aero enhancements
include a large front air dam and "floating" rear wing, designed to
increase downforce on the car and even further improve stability at high speeds.
Underneath, the shock absorbers are tuned more firmly, and there's a shock-tower
brace across the engine bay, additionally stiffening the structure. You'll feel
the difference both in transients, such as S-curves, and in absolute cornering
ability. The package also adds a second engine oil cooler and dedicated air
ducts to help cool the front brakes. And to help you take full advantage of the
added potential, the RX-7 R-2 is fitted with the ultra-high-performance Pirelli
P-Zero tires, Z-speed rated.

Power all alone, no matter how dramatic, cannot by itself define a pure
sports car. Equally important is how effectively you can use that power. And
while factors such as body rigidity and aerodynamics come into play, the car's
essential road personality is determined by its suspension. Here, the RX-7
stands apart, setting new standards for vehicle dynamics by providing
unprecedented levels of agility, response, and balance. Plus a high degree of
communication between driver and road.

A visual work of art, the suspension was created specifically and exclusively
for the RX-7. And after you sample its abilities, you'll think we also
engineered all the roads just for the Mazda RX-7.

Power Plant Frame

Engine, transmission, driveshaft, and differential are all coupled together by
a highly rigid Power Plant Frame, a Mazda design that isolates drivetrain
vibrations and eliminates torque twisting of the structure from drivetrain
forces. The tangible benefit is precise and instant throttle response.

Double-wishbone suspension

The basic suspension is fully independent, a double-wishbone type at all four
wheels, plus concentric coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers. The RX-7
further enhances the basic concept by adding toe control, both front and rear,
to improve agility and feel in cornering. Both the front and the rear
suspensions are mounted on subframes that are rigidly bolted to the body
structure.

The rear double wishbone utilizes an upper A-arm and lower multiple links that
neutralize toe-out forces in cornering to give the RX-7 maximum agility. The
rear shock absorbers are double-action units, and a weight-saving hollow
stabilizer bar helps neutralize body roll. In the front, the double wish-bone
consists of unequal-length upper and lower A-arms. Most of the major components
are squeeze-cast or forged from aluminum alloys that perform better than steel
in these applications, in addition to saving weight. Such an extensive use of
these alloys was made possible by the newly developed squeeze-casting process,
which produces parts much stronger than would be possible employing
conventional die-casting methods.

Ideal weight distribution

Weight distribution with driver and passenger is 50% front/50% rear,
contributing to exceptional handling balance. Part of the credit goes to
placement of the rotary engine behind the front axle, a front mid-engine design
made possible only by the compact size of the rotary.

Aerodynamics

Extensive wind tunnel tests helped us give the RX-7 one of the lowest drag
coefficients (Cd) in its class-0.29. Lower drag improves both performance and
fuel efficiency, because less power is used to overcome air resistance. The
effective aerodynamics also reduce wind noise. Attention to detail can be seen
in such aerodynamic designs as the "double-bubble" roof contour.
Although visually subtle, we found in the wind tunnel that it made a significant
difference in the car's performance.

Wheels and tires

The P225/50R16 tires were developed specifically to meet the high-performance
demands of the Mazda RX-7. The tires combine exceptional straight-line traction
and cornering abilities. They're mounted on 16-inch wheels, eight inches wide
and squeeze-cast of aluminum alloy. The design of the wheels not only saves
unsprung weight, it also provides maximum cooling for the brakes. As with the
tires, these wheels were developed especially for this car.

Less roll

Low center of gravity, plus front and rear stabilizer bars, keeps body roll to
a minimum. This improves both cornering performance and feel. Mazda engineers
took full advantage of their opportunity to create a dedicated sports car
suspension.

Mazda RX-7 Safety

While the structure of the Mazda RX-7 is largely the result of the most
advanced supercomputer designs, for inspiration we looked to nature. Spider webs
and honeycombs. Or a bird's bone structure. Because these offer what we think a
sports car should: light weight with exceptional strength. Only a lighter car
can offer the pure sports car ideal: the responsiveness and control of a race
car. Weight is weight, no matter how well-balanced. And only a strong
structure can provide a stable platform for the suspension, withstand the
constant jolts and indignities of road surfaces, and protect the occupants.
And while an intense weight reduction program was a high priority in the
development of the RX-7, weight was never shaved at the expense of structural
integrity or strength. So, like a race car, the RX-7 is as strong and stable as
it is fast. And it also proves that a car can be exciting to drive and still
take good care of its occupants.

Anti-lock brakes

Active safety measures in a car are those design features that can help you
avoid or escape potentially dangerous driving situations. One of the most
important in the RX-7 is the computer-controlled Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
A sensor at each wheel detects any sudden change in wheel movement that could
lead to lockup, and a microprocessor control momentarily relaxes braking
pressure on that wheel so that it keeps rolling and maintains better traction.
ABS not only can help you stop straighter in hard braking, it can help you keep
steering control as well. This is particularly important in turns where, even
when driving at relatively low speeds, locked wheels could cause a car to swing
much wider than the road might allow. With ABS, you can more easily keep the car
where it should be.

Dual air bags

In addition to 3-point safety belts, an air bag Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) is standard for both the driver and passenger, complete with computerized
"fail-safe" backup power circuitry. For the air bags to be fully
effective, always fasten your 3-point safety belts properly. A rear-facing child
restraint should never be used in this or any 2-seat vehicle with dual air bags.
See the specifications page for details.

Structural integrity

Many of the RX-7's structural details are directly related to passenger
protection. These include passenger cell reinforcement (A),side intrusion beam
(B), the "space-monocoque" structure itself (C), and the rear
structural support beam (D). Supercomputer simulations helped us determine such
variables as size, strength, and location. (Highlighting colors are for
photographic clarity.)

Working together

No operational part of a car functions in isolation. The best suspension design
won't be able to do its job if it isn't attached to a rigid and effective
structure. It's the balance and cohesiveness of the RX-7's total design that
makes it so exhilarating on the road.

Fine-tuned on the road

Powerful as the supercomputers are, computer modeling at Mazda never
substitutes for real-life road testing. But it ensures that the cars that reach
the test track are viable prototypes, so that our drivers can concentrate on
fine tuning. We then use the computer to incorporate the drivers' feed-back into
each design stage. But ultimately, it's only Kansei Engineering, taking people
into account, that makes the car feel just right. And that gives the RX-7 its
full measure of true race car excitement.

Computer modeling

Computer modeling techniques include the latest GNC (Geometric Modeling and
Numerical Control) and DMA (Dynamic Modal Analysis) methods. With the
supercomputer, we can build a very precise model of the car on the screen, then
apply simulations of dynamic forces to generate precise analyses of how the
various parts of the car will behave. Our engineers can then perform myriad "what-if"
scenarios to arrive at the best possible design, something that would simply not
be possible without the power of the computer.

Technology

Were you to guess the Mazda RX-7 rotary engine's physical dimensions and
mechanical complexity solely from its smooth, free-revving power delivery, you'd
probably visualize something quite large and heavy, maybe something with 12
cylinders and multiple banks of camshafts.

This unique engine, however, defies all normal expectations. Compact and
light, the basic design has only three moving parts. Yet in the RX-7 the rotary
delivers a prodigious amount of power for its size and weight: 255 horsepower at
6500 rpm, and 217 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm.

With ports instead of valves, the rotary is also an ideal candidate for
turbocharging. And Mazda engineers took full advantage of the engine's
characteristics, designing a sequential twin turbocharging system that works
over the whole rpm range. Were you to guess the Mazda RX-7 rotary engine's
physical dimensions and mechanical complexity solely from its smooth,
free-revving power delivery, you'd probably visualize something quite large and
heavy, maybe something with 12 cylinders and multiple banks of camshafts.

Ideal for turbocharging

The Mazda sequential twin turbocharging arrangement is even more effective
because the rotary has a natural super-charging effect in normal operation. An
intercooler further increases power by cooling the intake air so that the
turbochargers can force more of it into the rotor chambers. To ensure
reliability, the whole design has undergone torturous testing, including
simulated continuous acceleration runs 24 hours a day for three months.

Sequential Twin Turbocharging

The sequential operation of the RX-7's twin turbocharging system offers the
best of both turbo worlds, lag-free at low rpm, yet with the high boost of a
large capacity unit. The design is more sophisticated than traditional twin
turbos to ensure a smoother transition from single to dual operation modes.

At low rpm, the full force of the exhaust gas is directed to only the primary
turbocharger, giving the RX-7 nearly instant throttle response. As rpm
increases, a "pre-spin" valve opens to start the secondary
turbocharger spinning. It does not yet supply any boost, but when it does come
on line, it will already be up to speed. At high rpm, the secondary turbo
becomes fully operational. Transition to full operation is seamless, with no
flat spot in the power curve.

Differential with a major difference

The Torsen limited-slip differential helps put the RX-7's power to the ground.
A limited-slip design has two primary functions. The first is torque management,
transferring torque to the driving wheel with the better traction. The second
function is allowing each driving wheel to respond individually to rpm
differences dictated by vehicle direction and tire-to-road adhesion. The Torsen
design is unique in allowing these two functions to occur simultaneously. Widely
used in race cars, the Torsen unit is up to twice as effective, depending on
conditions, as a conventional limited-slip design. And it improves control by
transferring torque in a much more linear fashion.

Basic simplicity

The basic design of the rotary has only three moving parts: two rotors and a
crankshaft. There are no valves, no cams, no lifters. A reciprocating engine
expends much of its power potential in converting the linear motion of its
pistons to the rotational motion of the crankshaft and in overcoming the
friction of many moving parts. But the rotary engine generates rotational
motion from the start. It revs freely and produces an extraordinarily smooth
flow of power.

Advanced engine management

A pair of powerful 8-bit digital microprocessors govern every aspect of the
engine's operation. The Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection gives especially precise
and quick fuel management, and fuzzy logic, an advanced computer artificial
intelligence technology, automatically adjusts the idle speed to the load
conditions. To help the engine breathe, there's an especially efficient
induction system. At the other end, a large-capacity exhaust system incorporates
a low-flow-resistance catalytic converter to reduce back pressure. The result:
an extremely smooth engine with none of the temperamental behavior often
associated with high-performance powerplants.

Cool efficiency

The intercooler for the turbo-charging system is located in the nose, to get
the full benefit of a direct air stream. An oil cooler (two in the R-2) has its
own intake duct.

Taking advantage of the power

The 5-speed gearbox offers a high-torque-capacity double-synchro mechanism in
the three lower gears. The refined linkage provides short throws with a very
positive feel, for quick, precise, and smooth shifts. An advanced 4-speed
automatic transmission is also available.

All of the information on these pages is to my knowledge either an accurate
summary of events and facts or is my opinion. It doesn't represent the views of
Mazda (duh), my employer, my Internet service provider, or anyone else.